Could Spain provide its old US M60 tanks to Ukraine?.

As reported by Libertad Digital on April 15, 2024, Spain has surprisingly canceled the sale of surplus M60 battle tanks, previously announced as used by the Spanish Marines. This decision, described only as a "reallocation of material", has prompted speculation among military observers that these tanks, of which Spain has acquired a total of between 260 and 300, might be redirected to assist Ukraine.
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Some M60 A3TTS tanks are still operational within the Spanish Marine Corps' Third Mechanized Landing Battalion based in San Fernando, Cádiz. (Picture source: Spanish MoD)

On March 27, 2024, the Spanish Ministry of Defense announced the sale of surplus M60 battle tanks previously utilized by the Spanish Marines. Spain acquired 260 to 300 M60 tanks in the early 1990s, predominantly the M60A3 TTS variant, but also the M60A1 and M60A3. According to the information available, the tanks were provided to Spain free of charge by the United States as part of the arms reduction commitments stipulated in the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty, which was aimed at curtailing the arms race between NATO and Warsaw Pact countries during the final years of the Cold War.

The tanks were delivered between 1989 and 1992, serving initially in the Army as transitional units until the arrival of the Leopard tanks (2A4 and 2E). These tanks, particularly the M60A3TTS models, were part of the arsenal of the Tank Company of the Tercio de Armada group and were transferred to the Spanish Navy from United States Army arsenals in Germany back in 1993.

By 2016, a reduced count of these tanks remained in active service within Spain’s Marine Infantry Brigade, also known as Tercio de Armada (TEAR). The final operational units were phased out between 2010 and 2020, with the last being transferred to the General Albacete and Foster Marine Infantry School in Cartagena for display in 2022.

The planned auction, as announced in the Official State Gazette on March 27, 2024, was scheduled to commence with a starting price of €46,924.93 per tank, requiring a provisional deposit of €9,384, constituting 20% of the starting price. The auction, which included an unspecified number of M60 tanks, also included ship chain branches, listed with a base price of €5,180.

Documentation and proposals for the auction are to be submitted by April 22, 2024, with bids set to be opened on April 24, 2024. The entire process is overseen by the Delegate Board of Disposals and Material Liquidators, situated at the Arsenal of Cádiz. Interested parties are directed to request additional details, including the list of materials for sale and administrative clauses, via email or directly at the Delegate Board’s office.

In a surprising turn of events, on April 3, 2024, the Spanish Ministry of Defense stopped the auction of these M60 battle tanks. The cancellation, described only as a "reallocation of material" in the BOE, leaves unanswered questions about the future deployment of the tanks. This development is particularly noteworthy considering that some M60 A3TTS tanks are still operational within the Marine Corps' Third Mechanized Landing Battalion based in San Fernando, Cádiz. As of last October, the Spanish military had even held tenders for maintenance services and parts for these models, indicating their ongoing utility.

The Ukrainian Kharkiv Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering previously proposed a complete modernization of the M60 tank. (Picture source: HKBM)

Among military observers, there is speculation that these tanks could be reassigned to assist Ukraine, aligning with Spain's support for Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia. Spain has previously donated more advanced Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine, contrasting with these older M60 tanks.

If Spain were to consider transferring the surplus M60 tanks to Ukraine, it could potentially lead to their modernization, drawing from Ukraine's previous experiences in upgrading similar tanks. Ukraine had previously offered Brazil an option to modernize the M60 tank in 2020 through the State Enterprise Malyshev Plant. Even before 2014, Ukraine's Kharkiv Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering proposed a modernization of the M60 tank including various upgrades such as replacing the turret with a 120 mm gun, upgrading the engine to a 6TD2 with 1200 horsepower, installing dynamic protection, and incorporating the active protection complex "Zaslon." Additionally, options for replacing the turret with a similar one from the Tank T-84-120 "Yatagan" and installing a domestic two-stroke opposed 6-cylinder diesel engine of the 6TD family were explored. Other considerations included replacing the transmission and installing hinged dynamic protection, as well as active protection systems like the "Curtain" and the "Varta" optical-electronic suppression system.

The M60A3 TTS could serve multiple roles within Ukraine's military framework due to its operational capabilities and upgrades. In its traditional role as a main battle tank, the M60A3 uses a 105 mm rifled main gun complemented by advanced fire control systems, which include a thermal imaging sight for effective engagement of enemy armor and fortifications. The tank’s enhanced armor, potentially augmented with explosive reactive armor, equips it well for supporting infantry by providing direct fire and suppressing enemy positions in diverse combat environments. The capability of its main gun for indirect fire suggests that the M60A3 could also be employed as a mobile artillery unit, useful in scenarios requiring quick and adaptable fire support.

The tank's thermal imaging systems enable it to perform night operations, facilitating continuous combat activity and aiding in surveillance and target acquisition under low visibility conditions. In regions where older tank models are prevalent within Russian forces, such as the T-54, T-55, and T-62, the M60A3's gun and advanced targeting systems allow it to take on opposing armored vehicles. Outside of frontline use, the M60A3 can act as a training platform for tank crews, offering an economical means to prepare personnel for operations in more advanced tanks. It can also serve as a reserve asset, capable of being deployed as necessary to support ongoing military engagements, thus supporting the strategic flexibility and readiness of the forces.